The Brevard Symphony Orchestra to Open 2014-2015 Concert Season With Dvorak, 10/25

Dvorák's thrilling New World Symphony highlights the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's 2014-2015 season opener on Saturday, October 25th at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.

In celebration of the Star Spangled Banner's 200th Anniversary in 2014, this American-inspired season-opener will begin with Dudley Buck's Festival Overture on the American National Air. Following this tribute to the National Anthem, American composer Howard Hanson's Piano Concerto will be played by featured pianist and Hanson Scholar, Scott Watkins. The concert closes with Antonín Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor - From the New World, which has in its heart qualities often associated with America: ruggedness, openness, brassiness, and confidence. Concert begins at 8:00pm.

For tickets, call the King Center Box Office at (321) 242-2219 or purchase online at www.BrevardSymphony.com.

About the Featured Artist: Scott Watkins is an American classical pianist and graduate of The University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music with a degree in piano performance where he held the Van Cliburn Scholarship and studied with Bela Siki. He was also a student of the late Canadian pianist Raymond Dudley at The University of South Carolina where he earned the Master of Music degree. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in piano performance from The Florida State University where he studied with the late Edward Kilenyi. He won the prestigious Artistic Ambassador Award in 1985, and the Patricia D'Angelus Award at the Memphis Beethoven International Piano Competition in 1999. Since those early days his career has taken him to many of the world's concert stages, and he has enjoyed many collaborations with some of the fi nest orchestras and noted soloists, including soprano Elizabeth Futral, tenor Stanford Olsen, and violinists Eugene Fodor and Hillary Hahn. He has worked with conductors Fabio Mechetti, Andrew Lloyd Jones, Heping Liu, Michael Krajewski, Christopher Confessore, Phillip Spurgeon, Christopher Wilkins, Marguerite Richardson, and Daniel Dominick among many others.

Watkins is currently Associate Professor of Piano at Jacksonville University, and since 2011, he has held the position of Visiting Foreign Scholar at Beifang University's Conservatory of Music and Dance in Yin Chuan, China, where he performs, teaches, and lectures during the Spring. Watkins' latest recording, American Piano Sonatas, was released in September on Jacksonville University's record label, Dolphinium Records, and includes music by Howard Hanson, William Schirmer, and Carlisle Floyd. Peter Burwasser, music critic for Fanfare Magazine writes, in a review soon to be published, that Watkins plays Howard Hanson's Piano Sonata "splendidly, bringing a fine balance of colorful tonality and elegance" to the work.

Tickets range in price from $6 - $50. Season tickets are still available. BSO season subscribers save 30-40 percent off individual concert tickets. To purchase, contact the BSO office at 321.242.2024 or online at www.BrevardSymphony.com. NEW for this season: $20 General Admission tickets are now available for all evening performances in rows RR-VV. Teachers and active military receive 50 percent off in areas two and three for season tickets and single tickets. Must present valid I.D. to purchase.

Tickets for students in grades 4-12 are available through the BSO's FREE Kids' Concert Club. Membership is FREE for local students and includes benefits such as $6 symphony tickets for members and one guest to any BSO subscription concert. Concert Club students also receive a special invitation to attend OPEN rehearsals of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra at the King Center.

College RUSH tickets are available for purchase in-person only at the King Center box office. RUSH tickets are available for students and faculty of local colleges for only $10 each. Each student or faculty member can purchase two tickets at this discounted rate. Seating is best available.

Social media followers of the BSO can purchase $20 tickets online-only in areas two and three. Fans/Followers are encouraged to follow @BrevardSymphony on Facebook and Twitter for special discount codes released five days prior to the performance.

Pre-Concert Discussion - The BSO invites patrons to enhance their concert experience by attending Concert Conversations with Christopher Confessore. This interactive session begins approximately 40 minutes before the performance. Main floor seating is open during the informal informative discussion.

The BSO is Brevard's premier professional orchestra. For over 60 years, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has brought quality performances, educational programs and outreach opportunities to the community. Our mission is to entertain and enrich individuals and communities, by creating exceptional, live symphonic music. The BSO is orchestra-in-residence at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, Florida.